Efficient Home Building Materials

Here are some things you should consider when selecting efficient home building materials for the construction of a new home or renovation project.

1. Efficient and Sustainable Flooring

Generally speaking, there are two options when it comes to laying the foundational floor. Those are a concrete slab and traditional timber platform.

• Slabs are often used in heavily trafficked areas such as work spaces and garages because they are more durable.
• Timber flooring, like that used in older construction is compatible with renovation of period style homes or additions to those with existing timber floors.
• Timber floors are also excellent choices for construction on sloping sites since they can virtually eliminate the need for excavation.
• Upper level extensions or second story construction use timber flooring often with steel beams included over lengthy expanses.
• Timber flooring can provide added storage space.

2. Efficient Home Building Materials/Wall Frames

• Timber framing is sustainable building material because the trees help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while they are growing and careful management means there will be re-growth for more timber.
• It is easy to save time when timber frames are prefabricated. This puts timber framing at the forefront of recent technological developments in efficient home building materials.
• Timber is easy to use because it is light weight and this makes it ideal for use in large housing projects as tall as 6 stories.

3. Efficient Wall Cladding

Fibre cement sheeting, have become the go-to material for builders and developers. They are light and easy to use and as durable as masonry.

4. Tiles or Steel Efficient Home Building Materials

• Although tiles may be more durable, they do not perform as well as timber during high wind.
• Heating and cooling tiles requires more time and do not insulate well.
• Steel roofing is also light in weight and does not require as much underlying structure. All roof pitches can accept steel as a proper roofing material. Tiles are not recommended for roofs that are less than 22 degrees in pitch.
• Light colors reflect heat and are appropriate for hot climates, but dark colors attract heat which makes them right for colder climates.

5. Efficient and Sustainable Doors and Windows

The 2005 5-star building regulations and the reduced cost of double glazing have resulted in the increased use of double glazed window use in new and renovated construction projects.

Even better is triple glazing, but some ask if the added cost is worth it. An extra layer of glass may not be as efficient as exterior awnings, sunscreen or drapes and blinds for increasing energy efficiency.

6. Insulation As Efficient Home Building Materials

• R2 batting or an equivalent insulation along with reflective exterior foil sheeting under cladding is used on all domestic walls these days. Rendered foam board, with its own R rating is also sometimes used.
• Ceiling cavities are filled with R5 batts with reflective foil covering the roof prior to installing roof tiles or metal roofing.

These along with other efficient home building materials should be considered before starting any construction projection.